Adventure Based Programming for Neurodivergent Youth and Young Adults
SOAR is an accredited Adventure-Based Summer Program, Residential Boarding School, and GAP Year Program serving neurodivergent youth and young adults in NC, WY, FL, and internationally! Our programs provide academic instruction, experiential education, and life skill development for youth and young adults ages 8-24.
Our two basecamps are located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Balsam, North Carolina and in the heart of the Wind River Valley in Dubois, Wyoming.
About SOAR Inc
SOAR is the world’s premier ADHD and Learning Difference adventure program
Offering accredited summer camp courses, a private boarding school known as The Academy at SOAR, and a GAP Year program, SOAR focuses on experiential education, life skills development, and cultivating a strength-based attitude for youth and young adults ages 8-24.
Summer camp staff live at one of our two basecamps located in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming. Our main office, home to our year-round staff, is located in Balsam, NC.
Our staff are the heart of our mission, developing young people's perspectives through high adventure activities like rock climbing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and challenge courses; empathetic connection and collaboration; and authentic enthusiasm for life.
If you're looking for a fulfilling job changing young lives and a work environment that values creating community, all while exploring breathtaking mountains, SOAR is the place for you!
The Employee Experience
- Every day at SOAR is an opportunity for adventure. With basecamps in prime outdoor recreation areas, you'll have proximity to premier rock climbing, world famous National Parks like Yellowstone and Great Smoky Mountains, exhilarating whitewater, and so much more!
- Professional Development opportunities to grow and refine wilderness skills, further your understanding of human behavior, and gain certifications like Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguarding, and Behavioral First Responder.
- Experience a community that values connection, support, lifelong learning, and FUN in some of the most beautiful part of the US!
Ideal Candidate
Staff that thrive at SOAR have a passion for the outdoors, are hard workers and problem solvers, and have the capacity to be adaptable in any weather (literally and figuratively!)
With servant leadership at the core of our organization, we're looking for people who can role model, be supportive, and demonstrate integrity in a never-ending number of ways. From following Leave No Trace principles at our program sites to recognizing the unique, individual needs of each camper, our staff are the catalysts of meaningful experiences.
Room and Board
- Summer Staff: room and board are provided for the complete season. Lodging in North Carolina consists of primitive cabins and in Wyoming is made up of large canvas outfitter tents with bunks on raised platforms. Meals are provided when on shift.
- Academy & GAP Staff: housing and food are provided while on shift. Access to lodging while off shift is provided for a fee.
- Full-Time Employees: housing may be available with a fee depending on availability and on a case-by-case basis.
Employee Perks
- Gain experience leading backcountry and frontcountry expeditions.
- Extensive training from professionals in the fields of recreational therapy, human services, and outdoor leadership.
- Get your WFA, CPR/AED, Lifeguarding, and Behavioral First Responder certifications (already have it? That'll increase your pay!)
- Pro Deals with outdoor industry brands
- Summer completion bonuses
- Housing and meals provided through summer (valued at $2000)
- Get paid to rock climb, hike, paddle, and LIVE in the outdoors!
- Experience working with youth and young adults with ADHD and other learning differences
- Work in beautiful locations where FUN is a priority!
Getting Here and Getting Around
North Carolina
- Located in the mountains of Western NC in the town of Balsam. The closest airport is in Asheville (AVL). We do pick up staff from the airport. Staff are welcome to bring their own cars as well.
Wyoming
- Located in Dubois, the closest airports are in Jackson (JAC) and Riverton (RIW). We do pick up staff from both airports. Staff are also welcome to bring their own cars.
For Fun
North Carolina
- Hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest, and on the Appalachian Trail
- Paddle the Nantahala and Tuckaseegee Rivers
- See hundreds of waterfalls
- Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Slide down a natural waterslide at Sliding Rock
- Rock climb and boulder in Pisgah, Table Rock, and Rumbling Bald
- Flyfish the Davidson River
- Walk around Lake Junaluska
- Learn about the diverse plants and animals of Western NC
- Explore Downtown Asheville
- Visit the Biltmore
- Tubing in Deep Creek
- Check out a smoky mountain gem mine
Wyoming
- Visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
- Hike in the Wind River Range
- See and authentic rodeo
- Swim or paddle in glacier-fed lakes
- Rock climb in Lander, where the International Climbing Fest is held annually
- Hot springs within a 2 hour drive
- Raft the Snake River
- Flyfishing
- Horseback riding
- See the world's largest Jackalope!
- Archery and hatchet throwing
- Spot wildlife like moose, bison, elk, bighorn sheep, eagles, wolves, coyotes, foxes, and bears!
- Climb the Alpine Tower
- Arts & crafts
How to Apply
Click APPLY NOW to fill out our online application! Visit our website for more information.
Contact Info
- Kate Gilbert
- kate@soarnc.org
- (828) 456-3435
- www.soarnc.org